Computer Terminals Biometrically Enabled for Network Functions and Voice Communication

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a handset that includes a finger-image sensor that provides finger-image-related signals or data for authentication purposes and functions as a telephone handset for use with a computer terminal. A system, including handsets and computer terminals, enables the terminal and/or the handset to access or otherwise participate in at least one network-related function and voice communication in response to authentication of finger-image data provided by the handset. The handset includes an elongated housing having opposed major sides and opposed ends. A speaker is positioned in the vicinity of a first end of the handset to transmit sound from a first major side of the handset, and a microphone is positioned in the vicinity of a second end of the handset to receive sound from a first major side of the handset. A finger-image sensor is positioned in the vicinity of and spaced from the second end of the handset to sense a finger-image from a second major side of the handset, and a contoured surface is provided leading to the finger-image sensor. Circuitry for performing voice functions and finger-image functions are associated with separate USB ports, which are coupled to a USB hub of the handset.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein relates to biometric enablement ofcomputer terminals for participation in one or more network-relatedfunctions and in voice communication over a network. More particularly,the biometric enablement involves finger-image sensing andauthentication. The invention also relates to a telephone handset thatincludes a finger-image sensor, and to use of the handset for useridentification and voice communication over the network.

The following patent documents disclose wireless telephones having abiometric identification device, and security systems for wirelesscommunications. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,141,436; 6,088,585; 5,796,858;5,872,834; 6,219,793, 6,330,457; 6,249,672; 6,177,950; 6,175,922;6,111,977; 6,061,790; 6,064,737; 6,058,304; 6,078,908; 5,715,518; and6,035,188, US Patent Applications 2002/0003892; 2001/0012201;2001/0016819; and 2001/0017584; international and foreign patentdocuments: WO 98/11750; WO 01/45283; EP09699644; EP 0817515; and DE19832638. The following patent documents disclose the use of biometricsto control access to computers or computer functions, or to control atransaction conducted using a computer: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,337,919;6,337,918; 6,282,304; 6,256,737; 5,420,936; 5,337,043; 5,838,306;5,881,226; 5,991,408; 6,016,476; 6,154,727; 6,078,848; 6,160,903;published U.S. Patent Applications 2002/0010864; 2001/0051924;2002/0007459; 2002/0010857; 2001/0049785; 2001/0048025; 2001/0048359;and 2001/0034717; international and foreign patent documents WO01/29731; WO 00/72508; WO 01/92994; GB2312040; DE19541672; DE19920933;and FR2792438.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a system for enabling a computer terminal toaccess or otherwise participate in at least one network-related functionand voice communication over a network. The invention also provides ahandset that includes a finger-image sensor, for use with a computerterminal, that provides finger-image-related signals or data forauthentication purposes and voice-related signals for voicecommunications. The handset provides finger-image data that is used tobiometrically identify a person who is seeking to access or otherwiseparticipate in network functions including voice communication and atleast one other network-related function using the terminal and/or thehandset. Such access/participation is enabled after satisfactoryidentification of a prospective user. The handset may be coupled to acomputer terminal either wirelessly or tethered.

The terms “computer terminal,” “terminal” and “terminal device” aremeant in a broad sense, and encompass PCs or other desktop computers orwork stations, portable computers, client computers, thin clients, PDAs,etc., unless the context in which these terms is used indicatesotherwise. Similarly, the terms “network,” “computer system,” “hostcomputer” and “server” are meant in a broad sense.

In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a telephone handsetincluding a microphone and a speaker, and also the finger-image sensor,coupled to provide signals to and receive signals from the computerterminal for voice communication, and at least to providefinger-image-related signals to the computer terminal. Means areprovided for electronically authenticating a finger-image sensed by thefinger-image sensor of a handset based on the finger-image-relatedsignals provided by that handset. Means are also provided that areresponsive to the authenticating means for enabling the computerterminal in the network to access or otherwise participate in theperformance of at least one network-related function and voicecommunication over the network between handsets, at least one of whichprovided finger-image-related signals based upon which a sensedfinger-image was authenticated. In a preferred embodiment, communicationis enabled between handsets which each have provided finger-imagerelated signals based upon which a sensed finger-image wasauthenticated, i.e., between authenticated handsets. In someembodiments, communication can occur between an authenticated handsetand an unauthenticated handset. An unauthenticated handset may bothreceive from and send voice-related data to an authenticated handset, oronly receive from or send voice-related data to an authenticatedhandset.

The authentication means and the enabling means comprise programmingthat may be resident on or provided to the handset and/or the computerterminal, or may be resident on a host computer or server and operateentirely on the host computer or server, or operate on a distributedprocessing basis on the host computer or server, the computer terminaland the handset, or subcombinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the telephone handset includes circuitrycoupled to the microphone and speaker referred to above that at leastconverts between analog and digital signals, and an interface couplingthe finger-image sensor and the circuitry with the computer terminal. Ina preferred embodiment, circuitry is provided for voice functions andthe finger-image sensor includes other circuitry for finger-imagefunctions. Individual USB ports, coupled to a USB hub, are associatedwith the voice circuitry and with the finger-image circuitry. Thehandset preferably is keypadless, and each computer terminal includes acomputer input device and is programmed to initiate a voicecommunication session in response to information entered using the inputdevice.

In a preferred embodiment, the telephone handset comprises an elongatedhousing having opposed major sides and opposed ends. The speaker ispositioned in the vicinity of a first end of the handset to transmitsound from a first major side of the handset, and the microphone ispositioned in the vicinity of a second end of the handset to receivesound from a first major side of the handset. The finger-image sensor ispositioned in the vicinity of and spaced from the second end of thehandset to sense a finger-image from a second major side of the handset.Preferably, the handset has a contoured surface leading to thefinger-image sensor to receive part of a human finger therein.

In one embodiment, the elongated housing has a larger first portion anda smaller second portion projecting at an angle from the first portion.Both portions have opposed major sides and opposed ends. The first endof the handset is an end of the first portion, in the vicinity of whichis positioned the speaker. The first major side discussed abovecomprises the first major side of the first and second portions, and thesecond major side comprises the second major side of the first andsecond portions. The finger-image sensor is positioned in the vicinityof and spaced from an opposite end of the first portion of the handsetto sense a finger-image from a second major side of the first portion ofthe handset. The second end of the handset is an end of the secondportion in the vicinity of which is positioned the microphone to receivesound from the first major side of the second portion. The first andsecond portions are connected in the vicinity of the second end of thefirst portion and a first end of the second portion, and the first majorside of the first portion and a first major side of the second portionform an internal obtuse angle. The contoured surface referred to aboveextends from the opposite end of the second portion to the finger-imagesensor.

In another embodiment, the handset is generally straight, as opposed tohaving one portion angled with respect to the other portion, andincludes only the larger upper portion, which has opposed major sides.The speaker and finger-image sensor are positioned as described above,and the microphone is positioned in the vicinity of the second end ofthe handset to receive sound from the first major side thereof. Thesecond major side of the handset is contoured as described above, butfrom the second end of the handset to the finger-image sensor to receivepart of a human finger therein.

The telephone handset preferably includes configuration or other meanson the side thereof opposite the finger-image sensor, i.e., on thesecond major side of the handset or the first and second portionsthereof for stably supporting the handset on or against a flat (orgenerally flat) surface during sensing of a finger-image. For example,flat or straight surfaces or projections may be provided positioned onthe handset to support the handset on or against a flat surface. Asmentioned, the handset preferably does not include a keypad. Hookswitchfunctions are preferably activated by a button projecting from the topof the handset.

In a preferred embodiment, the handset includes a bracket positioned inthe upper part of the handset to suspend the handset from a projectionengaging the bracket. When suspended from the bracket adjacent a flat(or generally flat) surface of a monitor or fixture, the handset can bepressed against the flat surface and be stably supported during sensingof a finger tip image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings which aremeant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like elements in thedifferent figures relate to like or corresponding elements, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a handset having a finger-imagesensor according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the handset depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the handset depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the handset depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the handset depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of the handset depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of electronic components included in thehandset depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a computer system in which the handsetdepicted in FIG. 1 is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a handset 10 according to a preferred embodimentof the invention includes a housing 12 having opposed major sides 13(comprised of major sides 13 a, 13 b) and 14 (comprised of sides 14 aand 14 b). For convenience, the first major side 13 is referred to asthe front, and the second major side as the rear of the handset. Thehandset 10 also includes minor sides 15, 16, 17 and 18. Sides 17 and 18are also referred to the handset top and bottom, respectively. Mountedto the handset 10 are the components shown schematically in FIG. 7,including a microphone 20, a speaker 22 and a finger-image sensor 24.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-6, the housing 12 includes alarger upper portion 26 and a smaller lower portion 28 that togetherform an internal obtuse angle θ (FIG. 3). The speaker is located nearthe top 17 of the handset 10 and the microphone near the bottom 18 ofthe handset 10, and the angle θ is selected so that the speaker andmicrophone can be conveniently located adjacent the average user's earand mouth, respectively, in use.

The housing 12 in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-6 comprises a frontchannel shaped part 34 and a rear channel shaped part 35 that meet alongsides 15-18. Front part 34 includes front major side 13 a, b andportions of minor sides 15-18, and rear part 35 includes rear major side14 a, b and portions of minor sides 15-18. A band 36, preferably made ofan elastomeric material, extends around sides 15-18 over a seam wherethe front and rear parts 34 and 35 meet. The band 36 provides thefunction of overlaying and closing the seam between the front and rearparts 34 and 35, as well as ornamentation. For example, the band canhave different thicknesses, shapes, and surface contours that providerecognizable detail to the handset.

The band 36 may be secured to the housing 12, and the front and rearparts 34 and 35 may be secured together in any suitable manner. Forexample, the band 36 may be secured to the front and/or rear parts 34and 35 by interlocking parts such as grooves, ridges, projections,receptacles, etc., or by an adhesive, or bonded by any suitable process,and the front and rear parts may be joined by interlocking and/orsnap-fitting parts, or by fasteners, or ultrasonic bonding or heatbonding, etc. Interlocking arrangements for securing the front and rearparts 34 and 35 together and for securing the band 36 to at least one ofthe front and rear parts are preferred to facilitate assembly anddisassembly, e.g., for repair or servicing.

The front part 34 and the rear part 35 each include an upper portion 34a, 35 a and a lower portion 34 b, 35 b, respectively, which are unitary,e.g., formed as a single piece, or from separately formed unitary piecesthat are joined by any suitable process, e.g., an adhesive or otherbonding process. Each unitary piece may be made, for example, of asuitable plastic, such as ABS in a molding process, or of any suitablematerial made by any suitable process.

Rear side 14 b (FIG. 5) includes means for transmitting soundtherethrough to the microphone 20, and rear side 14 a includes means fortransmitting sounds therethrough from the speaker 22. Any suitablestructure may be used. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6,perforations 60 are provided in the rear side 14 a, b near themicrophone and speaker. The perforations 60 are shown as round, but anycurved or straight configuration may be used in any suitable pattern forsound transmission. The size, shape and pattern of the perforations 60are also ornamental.

The upper front portion 35 a (FIG. 1) includes near the bottom or end 62thereof, the outer portion of the finger-image sensor 24. An activeportion 64 of the sensor 24 is disposed in a channel 66 near and spacedfrom the bottom 62 of the upper portion 34 a. A contoured surface 68leads to the active portion 64 to facilitate placement of a fingertipover the active portion 64 of the sensor 24. As shown, the contouredsurface 68 begins at approximately the bottom 62 of the upper frontportion 34 a generally where the lower front portion 34 b and the upperfront portion 34 a meet, and extends to the active portion 64. Since theupper and lower front portions 34 a, b are angled with respect to eachother, the entrance to the contoured surface 68 is unobstructed so thata finger can easily be slid or placed on the active portion 64 of thefinger-image sensor. Many different contours may achieve the functionsassociated with finger placement and removal, so that the contouredsurface 66 as shown is also ornamental.

The channel 66 and contoured surface 68 facilitate placement andlocation of a fingertip on the active portion 64 of the sensor 24. Inthe embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-6, the front piece 34 includesdistinct upper and lower portions 34 a, 34 that are joined together, andthe contoured surface 68 is part of a projection extending from thelower portion 34 b. This structure enables the user to convenientlyplace a finger over the active sensor portion 64 without having toawkwardly bend the finger. The lower portion 28 may be used as aconvenient grip, when one finger is placed over the active sensorportion 64, for the other fingers of a person's hand.

A loop or bracket 70 is attached to the band 36, but may be attached tothe upper front or rear portion 34 a, 35 a. The bracket 70 is used tosuspend the handset from a hook or projection (not shown) secured to aconventional computer monitor (not shown), e.g., a CRT device or a flatpanel device such as an LCD, LED, active matrix or plasma device, orsecured to another type of device or fixture. Such devices and featurestypically include a flat (or generally flat) surface. Preferably, thehook suspending the handset 10 is positioned above such a flat surfaceso the handset is suspended against or adjacent a flat surface.

The rear part 14 a, b of the handset 10, at the top 17 and bottom 18 ofthe handset, is configured to stably support the handset 10 on a flatsurface. Thus, with the handset 10 supported on a flat surface with thefront part 13 a, b exposed (or facing upward), a finger-image can besensed while the handset is stably supported. Such structure may extendtransversely across the rear piece 14 a, b at the top and bottom,respectively, of the handset. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-6,this structure is straight edges at the top and bottom 17, 18 of thehandset 10. Beveling 76 (FIG. 3) may also be provided at the top and/orbottom of the handset for this purpose as well as for ornamentalpurposes. Such configuration also stably engages the handset 10 againsta computer monitor or a fixture when the handset is suspended from thebracket 70, so that a finger-image can be sensed when the handset issuspended.

A hookswitch button 72 protrudes through the top 17 of the handset 10.The hookswitch button 72 forms part of a microswitch 74 (FIG. 7) withinthe handset 10 that is electrically connected as shown in FIG. 7 toperform hookswitch functions. A conventional headset jack 75, below aflap 77, is provided for receiving a plug connected to an headset (notshown). An LED 78 visible from the front 13 indicates when the handsetis active.

In another embodiment of handset 10, not fully shown, the second portion28 is not provided. In that embodiment, the handset is straight, and themicrophone is positioned in the vicinity of the end 62 of the handset,as represented by the broken line circle referenced by 60 a, to transmitsound through major side 14 a.

A cable 79, connectable to a computer or computer terminal such as a PC,extends from the lower front portion 34 b of the handset restrained by agrommet (not shown) inside the handset 10.

Much of the surface configuration and shape of the handset is solelyornamental in nature, while some has ornamental and functional aspects.

The handsets described herein allow users to communicate telephonicallyover a network such as the Internet, an Intranet or a proprietarynetwork, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 7,the handset 10 includes the microphone 20, the speaker 22, the headsetjack 75, a ringer 73, the hookswitch 74, the finger-image sensor 24, aUSB interface 80 for the finger-image sensor 24, a codec 82, amicrocontroller 83, a USB hub controller 84 and the cable 79. Themicrophone 20, the speaker 22 and the headset jack 75 are coupled to au-law and/or A-law compatible PCM codec 82, which provides the followingfunctions: receives analog audio input signals from the microphone 20and provides u-law or a-law compatible compressed digital signals;receives u-law or a-law compatible compressed digital signals andconverts to analog audio signals for the speaker 22 and headset jack 75.The codec 82 comprises a suitable circuit or circuits for performingthese functions, for example, an analog to digital convertor circuit,digital to analog convertor and a codec, provided either as separateintegrated circuits, or a single integrated circuit that perform thefunctions described above. An example of a single integrated circuitthat performs those functions is National Semiconductor TP3054.

The codec 82 is coupled to the microcontroller 83, to which the ringer73 and the hookswitch 74 are also coupled. The microcontroller 83controls handset-related telephony functions, including ringerfunctions, responsive to the hookswitch 74 and signals from a computerterminal 100 to which the handset 10 is coupled. Any suitable controllermay be used as the microcontroller 83. The microcontroller 83 is coupledto the USB hub controller 84, e.g., Alcor AU9254 available from AlcorMicro Corp. of Taipei, Taiwan. Any suitable ringer, e.g., piezoelectric,may be used as the ringer 73. The finger-image sensor 24 either includesa USB port, or USB interface circuitry 80 is provided to interface thefinger-image sensor 24 with the USB hub controller 84. The USB Hub 84controller is configured for connection to a USB port on a computerterminal to transmit signals to and receive signals from the computerterminal, including audio-related signals or data andfinger-image-related signals or data. The finger-image sensor 24 may beimplemented by any suitable technology. Suitable sensors are availablefrom Authentec, Inc., of Melbourne, Fla., for example, the FingerLoc™ orEntrePad™ families of finger-image sensors

The USB hub controller 84 allows the finger-image sensor 24 and thecodec 82 to communicate with a single USB port of the computer terminalvia the cable 79. The power required to drive the components of thehandset 10 is preferably provided by the computer terminal to thehandset over the cable 79, e.g., from a USB port located on computer orterminal device.

Additional circuitry, known to those of skill in the relevant arts, maybe provided, for example, in blocks 20, 22, 74, 72, 73, 24, 80, 82, 83and 84 in FIG. 7, or separately, to assist in achieving the functionsdescribed herein.

Referring to FIG. 8, handsets 10 are connected to computer terminals 100that in the preferred embodiment include a USB port 102. The computerterminals 100 include or have coupled thereto input and output devicesrepresented by block 104, such as a keyboard, mouse or other pointingdevice, computer monitor, printer, etc. The terminal devices 100 areconnected in a computer network or system 110 through a communicationsnetwork, the Internet or an intranet, presented by clouds 119-121 or aLAN or WAN.

Networks including computer terminals that perform network functionssuch as information delivery, trading of financial interests, Internet,and provide for voice communication over the network by means of packetprotocols, e.g. TCP for data and UDP for voice, are known. The inventionis not concerned with the specific network or communications systemwhich support the network functions and voice communications associatedwith the handset 10 and/or a computer terminal to which a handset 10 iscoupled. Therefore, FIG. 8 represents an example of a network andcomputer system, and is intended to be exemplary and not limiting. Othernetworks and computer systems are known to those having ordinary skillin the relevant art(s), and the following discussion is at a high levelwith the understanding that the described network and computer systemare meant to be exemplary. Details of such networks and systems areknown to those having ordinary skill in the relevant art(s). Similarly,telephony software for voice communication over a data network, e.g.,the Internet, intranets, etc., is also known to those having ordinaryskill in the relevant art(s).

The computer system 110 (FIG. 8) includes one or more host computersand/or servers represented by host computer system block 112 connected,for example, in a LAN 114 for carrying out network functions. Access tothe LAN 114 and the host computer system 112 is controlled by gateways116. The computer terminals 100 may communicate with the LAN 114 throughgateways 116 directly, as illustrated in the upper right hand portion ofFIG. 8, and through communications networks 119, 120 and 121. Examplesof communications networks are the Internet, intranets and proprietarynetworks such as the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL® service.

Authorization is required for handsets 10 and terminal devices 100 toaccess or otherwise participate in network functions and to participatein, or at least initiate, voice communications over the network, i.e.,initiating, transmitting, receiving or all of these functions. In thepreferred embodiment, such authorization includes finger-imageauthentication. Means for authenticating finger-images of authorizedusers, including authentication software, are available, for example,from Authentec, Inc. of Melbourne, Fla. Such software may be storedlocally in terminal devices 100, or in the host computer system 112, oris distributed among them or in any subcombination of them.Authentication, which may involve comparison of finger-image dataprovided by finger-image sensors 24 in handsets 10 with storedfinger-image data for matches, is required before a terminal device 10is permitted to access or otherwise participate in selected any or allnetwork functions, such as participation in trading of financialinterests, and to participate in voice communication. Access to terminaldevices 100 and network functions may also be password protected. Accesscontrol using finger-image and password authentication, and means forperforming access control using finger-image and passwordauthentication, are generally known to those of skill in the relevantart(s). Therefore, only a high level, general description thereof isincluded herein.

In the preferred embodiment, a user seeking access to the host computersystem 112 or any selected network related function enters a user nameand password in response to a suitable log-on screen or set of screens.Once the user name and password have been authorized, the user is thenprompted by another log-on or set of log-on screens to provide his orher finger-image for a reading by the finger-image sensor 24. Thefinger-image data obtained by the finger-image sensor 24 is communicatedto the computer terminal 100, which includes all required drivers toobtain and receive the finger-image data.

In one embodiment, authentication proceeds in computer terminal 100 withsoftware and stored finger-image data provided by the host computersystem 112. In this embodiment, the finger-image comparison software isdownloaded into the computer terminal 100 from the host computer system112, and previously acquired finger-image templates stored on the hostcomputer system 112 are retrieved for comparison against thefinger-image data obtained by the finger-image sensor 24. If a match isfound by authentication means associated with the computer terminal 100,that information is communicated to the host computer system 112, andmeans in the computer system responds to enable a computer terminal toaccess or otherwise participate in any selected function in the computersystem 110. Alternatively, the finger-image data obtained by afinger-image sensor 24 is uploaded to the host computer system 112,where authentication means determines whether there is a match andprovides authentication. It is also possible for the handset to includesoftware to compare finger-image data provided by the finger-imagesensor 24 with finger-image data stored in the handset, or provided tothe handset.

For example, after selected or all functions of a computer terminal 100have been enabled in response to authentication, a user may access suchfunctions and initiate and receive voice communications without furtherauthorization. Alternatively, a terminal device 100 may be authorized toreceive voice communications without finger-image and or passwordauthentication, but not to initiate or transmit voice communicationswithout such authorization, etc. A separate authorization procedure maybe required each time a user seeks to execute a sensitive or otherdesired function.

In one embodiment, a user may access the computer system 110 from anycomputer terminal 100 upon authentication of his or her finger-image. Ifdesired, such authentication at various terminal devices may also beused to track the presence of the user. More specifically, the hostcomputer system 112 can track the presence of the user at any giventerminal device. Tracking can operate on the basis that a user ispresent at the last terminal device that remains logged on at which theuser's finger-image was authenticated. Alternatively, users can berequired to provide a finger-image sense when leaving a terminal devicethat remains logged on, or to re-log on with finger-image authenticationat given times or intervals.

The presence status of the intended recipient at his or her usual or“home” terminal, or at another terminal may be displayed on the computermonitor of a user initiating a call or email with, for example, asuitable icon or message. The call or email initiator can then decidewhether to complete the call or send the email to the home terminal ofthe intended recipient or to such other terminal at which the intendedrecipient is present, as determined by finger-image detection.

Using the handset 10 and suitable telephony software, a voice call canbe set up over a network, such as the one represented in FIG. 8. Each ofthe computer terminals 100 has a unique address or identifier, which inthe Internet is an IP address and in other networks may be a terminalID, etc. Thus, each computer terminal can address one or more othercomputer terminals by means of these unique addresses. Gateways 1116,and routers or other hardware and software in networks 118, 119 and 120,direct digitized voice data to addressed computer terminals in theproper format.

Requests from computer terminals 100 to establish a voice call areforwarded to the host computer system 112 via a gateway 116. A hostcomputer in the host computer system 112 checks for user authorizationand determines whether the called user exists, is valid or is otherwiserecognized by the system, such as being a member of a group or aliasdefined by the calling party. The host computer also determines whetherthe called party has a handset 10 connected to that party's computerterminal 100. For example, USB device drivers included in the computerterminals 100 can automatically detect the presence of a handset 10, andthis information may be conveyed to a host computer.

If the called party has a connected handset, the host computer candetermine whether the called party is logged on. In the event that thecalled party is not logged on, the host computer may signal or send anappropriate informational message to the calling party. The hostcomputer may also interface with or include a voice mail subsystem so asto enable the calling party to leave a voice mail.

The host computer signals the computer terminal of the called party thatan incoming voice call has arrived. The computer terminal, in turn,using a suitable device driver, causes the handset speaker 20 to sound aring tone and/or the computer terminal visually indicates an incomingcall on the display monitor of the called computer terminal. The calledparty may accept the call by pressing the handset hookswitch button 72,or by entering a keyboard or mouse command. In either case, the calledcomputer terminal notifies the host computer that the call has beenaccepted, and the host computer, in turn, notifies the calling computerterminal that the call has been accepted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gateways 116 establish acommunication path over intra- or inter-gateway links. The computerterminals preferably segment digital voice data received from thehandset into packets, e.g. according to a protocol such as UDP,addressed to the other party or the gateway thereof. The terminaldevices are preferably configured to use a predetermined UDP port forvoice traffic, but in alternative embodiments, the UDP port may beestablished dynamically by the host computer and communicated to theterminal devices. In a further alternative, the UDP port may bedetermined through negotiation between the calling and called terminaldevices.

Voice calls are terminated when a user either toggles the hookswitch 74of the handset or enters a pre-determined user-based command with thecomputer terminal's input device. Either event is communicated to thehost computer and interpreted as a request to terminate the call. Inthis case, the host computer instructs the calling and called terminaldevices to terminate the session. Conference calls can be established ina manner similar to the establishment of a bidirectional call. The hostcomputer associated with the calling party can go through the same stepsdescribed above for each called party. A conference call can be set upto substantially simultaneously to connect multiple parties, if desired.To support this function, voice group data is stored in a manner similarto storing e-mail group data.

Hardware and software are known to those of skill in the art or can beconstructed from the disclosure herein for performing the telephonyfunctions described herein, including the use of VOIP in networks suchas the Internet and intranets and proprietary networks.

Although embodiments of a handset with a finger-image sensor and anetwork in which it is used have been disclosed, other embodiments ofhandsets may be used in the disclosed networks as well as in othernetworks. Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art(s) willunderstand that a variety of programming methodologies can be used toimplement the network and telephony functions discussed above.Similarly, numerous modifications and variations may be made to theembodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention, and the claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications and variations to the extent permitted by the prior art.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A system for enabling use of a plurality ofcomputer terminals in a network to participate in the voicecommunication function over the network, comprising: a microphone and aspeaker for each of the plurality of computer terminals coupled toprovide signals to and receive signals from the respective computerterminal for voice communication; and a finger-image sensor for each ofthe plurality of computer terminals coupled at least to provide signalsto the respective computer terminal relating to a finger-image sensed bythe respective finger-image sensor; means for electronicallyauthenticating a finger-image sensed by a finger-image sensor based onthe finger-image-related signals provided to the respective computerterminal; and means responsive to the authenticating means for enablingat least two of the plurality of computer terminals in the network toparticipate in the voice communication function over the network witheach other only if a sensed finger image was authenticated for each ofthe at least two terminals.